MURRAY, Janis Lynn Born in London Ontario January 22, 1953, passed away in Ottawa September 23, 2009 of breast cancer. Beloved mother of Justin Derek, sister of Susan, Ben and Shawn, daughter of the late Helen (Yakowenko) and Patrick Murray and step-daughter of Joan McCormick. Very special friend to Justin's partner Samantha Morris and Shawn's spouse RuthAnne Corley. Jan was an intelligent, passionate, beautiful and fiercely independent woman, and a lover of all forms of creative expression. She was an accomplished, multi-talented artist who honed her skills at the Haliburton School of the Arts and in Japan. She worked as a fitness instructor, video and film producer and corporate communications specialist in Toronto before moving to the Haliburton area in the 1980s to become an artist full time. In 2000 she moved to Ottawa to join the federal government and continued to grow as a person and an artist in new ways. Jan's brilliant smile and sparkling blue eyes lit up every room she entered, and she prided herself in keeping fit and active. In Ottawa she rediscovered her natural talent as a model and actor, making her professional stage debut in March of this year. She was a dedicated life-long learner and a voracious reader. In addition to acting, photography, film making and fabric design courses she became an "A" student at the University of Ottawa, working towards her degree. In recent years Jan also became a devout student of Tibetan Buddhist mindfulness meditation, committing herself to authenticity and living in the now. Meditation helped clarify and strengthen her mind and body and nourished her soul. It also fueled her creativity and determination to live life to the fullest. Jan was stunningly beautiful, inside and out, and an inspiration to all who knew her. Special thanks to Doctor Vincent Young at the Ottawa Cancer Centre and all the caring staff at Ottawa General Hospital. A memorial event celebrating Jan's life will be held at a future date. There will be no funeral. Donations may be made in Jan's name to the Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 9/25/2009- 9/26/2009